THE COMPUTER - V

 The Computer - V

WISHING YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR  at the outset , let me proceed  .....

A major advantage to everyone , is from the analytical ability. Using this, a quick judgement is arrived at opting for the safest course to pursue. Instant decision-making is also possible on matters of ‘not-so-significant’ value as in travel reservations by alternatives if need be. These are some instances where the human brain has a distinct edge over all other systems.

The offshoot:

All the advantages that we enjoy from computer have given rise to ego inflation among a few persons. Some persons who have familiarized themselves with the nuances of using the computer, seem to nurture the belief that they are ‘super humans’ with supremacy over others. I have noticed this trait amongst some of the computer users, in an obvious display of ‘can you do it?’  The mere familiarity of an operation should not drive us lose balance. Let me drive home this point. All of us have seen Drivers of massive Locomotives in railways. None else but the trained drivers can handle them. Several carpenters apparently without a formal education, precisely calculate wood requirements, exactly cut wood pieces and meticulously execute the job to perfection. Not without purpose I consider carpenters here. Carpentry is an art that does not permit mistakes in measurements or improper ‘cuts’ of wood. Once wrongly cut, the whole piece does not serve the intended purpose. With all our education we can not imitate the elegance of a quality carpenter. They are not enamoured of their skills of brilliance. Those handling live elephants, massive locomotives and excellent craftsman are absolutely humble. They can also afford to get bolstered by the thought that ‘others can not do what I can’. Not one of them seems to suffer from ego inflation. Now the question looms large as to why among the people, only some show this aberrant behaviour. There is no obvious answer to this anomalous attitude. One probable explanation could be that the qualified people readily succumb to ego than those who have excellent skills without any formal education. Such people remind themselves of the fact that in this world of competition we need to survive at the mercy of people and we need their patronage always. The qualified [wo]man fails to take cognizance of the fact that “I am yet to be equipped”.  [S]He revels in the thought of having acquired a degree in a modern field. The ground reality is such people have miserably failed to pick up basic human skills for calculation,  communication and logical interpretation of ideas. Of what use is any gadget-wielding person if [s]he can not address daily issues in life. Ego does not help any growth. Any qualified person’s ego is the surest sign of inadequacy. All good achievements are genuine products of human brain. I do not believe that a few individuals can think high of themselves while they are mere users of a facility.

The situation of their inadequacy too often surfaces when we see them work. They are just not 'equipped' in the true sense, as they are equipment-dependent. They rely on the ‘spell check’ facility in the system even for common terms. What is pitiable, the system is designed for American usages. It makes American spellings, while the general form of writing in the East is in the British style.  Many of them do not feel ashamed of such abysmal “attainments”, while taking delight for their prowess of ‘using’ a system. To look for top level abilities of ‘constructs’ –grammatically perfect and elegant in nuance from these persons is as much as asking for the moon.  Having not been under any classical training in such rudiments of communication, they are just blissfully ignorant and painfully arrogant. He who knows not –knows not, knows not is the best fitting description of these qualified novices. When   would they acquire the right software for themselves is the question that God alone can consider. Unfortunately in human brains, the wares –soft and hard are mutually inclusive with no scope of secondary installation. Had there been something it may be progressively amplified. But, nothing new can be added without the risk of its getting rejected by the inability to sustain. The ability to grasp has to be by a systematic training that provides the scope for expansion. Ego and belief of ‘having already achieved’ would stall any progress. Those pursuing programmes based on immediate utility should desist the temptation of looking down up on others ‘as of no consequence’. In an era of knowledge dominance, assumptions do not lead but steadily mislead into irretrievable fall.

In the beginning I had made it clear that, I am neither a computer professional, nor one with any formal training thereof. Naturally, some of my understanding of computers may be incomplete or unfounded. All such lacunae may be brushed aside as ill conceived. Any amendment to improve the conceptual veracity is most welcome.           Prof. K.Raman